The tropical cyclone outside the country’s area of responsibility has intensified into a super typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Tuesday afternoon, May 23.

Based on the 4 p.m. bulletin of the PAGASA, the cyclone with the international name Mawar was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts as high as 230 kph.

Mawar was last spotted 2,285 kilometers east of Visayas, or still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

It was moving northward at 15 kph.

PAGASA weather specialist Rhea Torres in a public weather forecast said Mawar may enter the PAR by Friday, May 26, or Saturday, May 27. 

It will be given the local name “Betty” once inside the PAR.

The weather disturbance could enhance or strengthen the southwesterly winds, which will bring rains to the western parts of the country in the coming days, she added.

Mawar has no direct effect on the Philippines yet, but PAGASA said the southwesterly wind flow and frontal system will be the dominant weather systems that will bring rains to some areas in the next 24 hours.

Cloudy skies and rains may prevail over Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to the frontal system, while cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may persist in Palawan because of the southwesterly wind flow.

Residents in these areas have been warned of the possibility of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The public is advised to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms, as these may also trigger landslides or flash floods, especially in areas that are vulnerable to these hazards.